Durban City triumphed 2-0 on penalties after the Nedbank Cup last 16 tie against Upington City at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium had ended 0-0 after extra time-time.
On what was a scorching hot Saturday afternoon in the Northern Cape, goalkeeper Darren Keet was again the man-of-the-moment for the Citizens as he made some world class saves during the 120 minutes and in the shoot-out.
The opening stages of the game were evenly balanced as the teams took turns to attack, Durban City enjoying their first opportunity after five minutes when a flowing move instigated by Athini Jodwana ended with Thabo Nodada firing over the bar from just outside the area.
There was also storming run from Trevor Mokwena, who was just unable to keep the ball in play before his cutback, while at the other end, Siyabonga Khumalo scuffed a shot wide of Keet’s right-hand upright from close range in the 24th minute.
The pressure from the home side increased just ahead of the interval, Keet was however up to the challenge with a safe pair of hands when called upon.
The KwaZulu-Natal side enjoyed the first chance after the restart when an angled ball across the goal narrowly eluded a sliding Sphiwe Mahlangu at the back post, on the hour mark.
The hosts also had chances as the game remained tight, the scoreline though unaltered after Siyabonga Mthombeni twice failed to hit the target.
In the 74th minute the complexion of the game was changed after Upington City substitute Rowan Visagie was sent off after quickly accumulating two yellow cards.
The Citizens turned up the heat and created a decent chance in the 80th minute when Joslin Kamatuka and Saziso Magawana combined well before setting up Haashim Domingo, whose angled drive fizzed just wide.
Letsie Koapeng could have won it for the visitors in the 92nd minute – but after a surging run and cross from Emmanuel Jalai, the striker was unable to convert at the near post.
The cup tie remained on edge in first half extra time, the temperature still well above 30 degrees as the clock passed 5pm.
Neither side were able to create much more than half chances, until the 116th minute: Upington City sub Keabetswe Rakosa looked set to bury a header into the bottom corner, only for Keet to save the day with a breathtaking diving save to tip the ball around the post.
As was the case in the previous round of the cup, versus Chippa United, Keet provided some drama in the penalty shoot-out.
The experienced shot-stopper made three top-class saves, including an incredible fingertip effort onto the bar for the decisive kick from Mthombeni.
Jalai and Koapeng meanwhile were on the scoresheet to send the Durban club through to the last eight.
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